Here’s Where you Can Enjoy Island-Hopping in Mindoro Minus the Crowds

Only a few hours away from the city!
by Kara Santos | November 07, 2018

When people think of Mindoro, they immediately think of Puerto Galera. The party beach has long been a favorite summer and weekend destination for those based in the metro because of its proximity to Manila.

But Puerto Galera, located at the northernmost tip of Mindoro island is just one destination in one of the largest islands in the Philippines. Mindoro Island comprises two provinces: Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro. Down south on the opposite end of the island lies Bulalacao, a laid-back destination where you can enjoy pristine beaches and islands all to yourself.

Bulalacao, the southernmost town of Oriental Mindoro, is roughly a 3-4 hour scenic drive on newly paved roads from the provincial capital of Calapan City. Calapn itself is reachable by regular fastcrafts and ferries from Batangas for those coming from Manila and mainland Luzon.

Once you get to Bulalacao, you can easily charter fishing boats for island-hopping trips to island clusters. There are fixed boat rates and tariffs for budget-friendly island-hopping (roughly P800 to 1000 for a maximum of 10 people for a two-way trip) while additional routes can be negotiated with the motorboat operators. So if you’re a group of 10, that’s just P200 a head for a whole day’s worth of beach-hopping!